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Attention turns to 2003 betting plunge

Matt Murnane

In spotlight: Steven King and Darryl White in the 2003 game. Photo: Getty Images

A PRE-SEASON game between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong in 2003 could soon be at the centre of a new match-fixing investigation after suspicion about the match was referred to the AFL's integrity department.

The Wizard Cup match in Cairns that year was at the centre of a massive betting plunge, which saw Geelong's head-to-head price on the game shorten from $2.70 to $1.65 in the immediate hours before the match.

A report on Footy Classified on Thursday said there was no suggestion of any wrongdoing by coaches or players involved in the match.

But what is in question is exactly who was privy to sensitive team information about a match that saw Brisbane rest 10 premiership players, including Michael Voss and Jonathan Brown.

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Geelong won by eight points, and the significant betting plunge was noted at the time.

In a report on the incident four years later, one Brisbane official was alleged to have boasted about winning money in a betting plunge.

It was alleged that the Brisbane official had acquired sensitive information because of his privileged position and allegedly converted it to personal gain. It was claimed the official knew the Lions would be resting key players.

The report on Channel Nine said suspicion surrounding the match arose out of claims made by self-confessed drug dealer Jason McGrath - the cousin of premiership player Ash McGrath.

Jason McGrath this week made stunning allegations about possible match-fixing and he claimed to have supplied illicit drugs to Lions players from 2002. Brisbane provided a strong response dismissing the allegations.

''These claims from a 'self-confessed drug dealer' are completely unsubstantiated and do not deserve publicity,'' the club said.

The AFL said on Tuesday it had no evidence to warrant an investigation into McGrath's claims.

''The AFL and its integrity unit are aware of recent claims made to the media regarding the Brisbane Lions between 2002 and 2009,'' an AFL statement said.

''These claims are unsubstantiated and no evidence has been produced to support them.

''No formal AFL investigation will be undertaken in the absence of credible information or evidence."

Lions coach Michael Voss responded to the initial claims by saying he was trying to sift through what was ''fact and fiction'' but conceded he could not rule out players using drugs during that period.

The AFL this week announced the introduction of a ''whistleblower service'' to be available to people with allegations or information about certain incidents involving match-fixing, illegal drug use or any other misconduct.